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Social Issues in Film Series Presents “The Mask You Live In” Sept. 21

Valdosta State University’s 2016-2017 Social Issues in Film Series will present “The Mask You Live In” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Nevins Hall Room 1061. Admission to the screening is free of charge and open to all students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and friends of the university.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s 2016-2017 Social Issues in Film Series will present “The Mask You Live In” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Nevins Hall Room 1061. Admission to the screening is free of charge and open to all students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and friends of the university.

“The Mask You Live In” is an examination of what the documentary film team refers to as “the boy crisis in America” and how every member of society has the power and the responsibility to help “raise a healthier generation of boys and young men.” It was written, directed, and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, founder of The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to using film as a catalyst for cultural transformation.

According to a synopsis provided by The Representation Project, the film “follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become ‘real’ men. Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media also weigh in, offering empirical evidence of the ‘boy crisis’ and tactics to combat it.”

“The Mask You Live In” premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It was also an official selection at the 2015 APHA Film Festival, 2016-2017 American Film Showcase, 2015 Bentonville Film Festival, 2015 Cinequest Film Festival, 2015 Napa Valley Film Festival, 2015 San Luis Obispo Film Festival, 2015 Sheffield Film Festival, 2015 Sonoma Film Festival, and 2015 Woman + Film Voices Festival. It earned the Youth Documentary Award at the 2015 Bergen International Film Festival in Norway, the Best Achievement in Female Filmmaking Award and the Visionary Award at the 2015 Las Vegas Film Festival, and the Press Jury Award and the Audience Prize at the 2015 Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia.